Serena Williams eases into second round of French Open

Serena Williams returned Sunday to the red clay of the French Open, and this time there was no stumble at the start.

Upset in the first round a year ago, Williams channeled any lingering frustration into her overpowering strokes and drubbed Anna Tatishvili 6-0, 6-1.

Also advancing on the first day of play were Sara Errani, the runner-up last year to Maria Sharapova, and 2008 champion Ana Ivanovic.

Williams lost her opening match at a Grand Slam tournament for the only time in her career a year ago, when she was beaten by France's Virginie Razzano. That was the most surprising in a succession of losses for Williams at Roland Garros, where she hasn't won the title since 2002 and hasn't reached the semifinals since 2003.